ILN-terviews: Johan Vanden Eynde, Vanden Eynde - Legal

Welcome to ILN-terviews, a series of profiles of ILN member firm attorneys, designed to give a unique insight into the lawyers who make up our Network.
For our latest interview, we chose ILN member, Johan Vanden Eynde of Vanden Eynde - Legal in Brussels, Belgium

In one sentence, how would you describe your practice?
That we are a group of lawyers who are proud to assist you when we take your case.

Who would be your typical client?
Essentially, we are acting for private (SME and larger companies) and public (ministries and public commercial companies) clients in the fields of business litigation and consultancy.  We also act for clients in administrative law, such as urban planning, public procurement and competition law. 

What would you like clients and potential clients to know about you?
That we take interest and care in their cases and that we will stand with them through difficulties.  Also, that their case is our challenge. 

What has been your most challenging case? Why?
Some years ago, we assisted a company in a very difficult situation with several procedures before the civil and administrative courts.  There were very important contestations in several fields of law.  Financially, it was a huge business contract for the client.  The firm stood with them during all of the processes, losing four cases in the first instance, but winning on appeal.  You can feel the trust that you build up and the tenacity needed in this profession. 

What has been your proudest moment as a lawyer?
Certainly when I won my first case before the Commission of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

What do you do when you're not practicing law?
Taking care of my family, trying to fish, reading the philosophers and writing articles and books about law!

What would surprise people most about you?
I don't know. Probably a lot of things of the common life, like cooking or doing sport.

What has been your most memorable ILN experience?
The repeated warm welcome at each meeting. 

What career would you have chosen if you weren't a lawyer?
Astronomer.
If a movie were made out of your life, who would you want to play you?
Somebody like Cary Grant.

How would you like to be remembered?
Will there be a remembering?